Controls Lead, Automation Integration

AIT•Chesterfield Township, MI

About The Position

The Controls Lead for Automation Integration coordinates shop technology activities from initial planning through electrical build execution and equipment pre-commissioning for software startup. The role also assists Software Engineers throughout startup and prepares automation projects for final acceptance testing before shipment to customer facilities. The position coordinates controls integration planning and execution with Project Managers, shop planning, manufacturing, electricians, engineering, and other teams. It monitors project schedules, staffing, purchased parts, and work status; communicates schedule risks, shortages, changes, and nonconformances; and helps maintain departmental standards and procedures. The Controls Lead may recommend and implement new technologies and improved approaches to automation integration.

Requirements

Five years of controls technical experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in automation and electrical application concepts, practices, and procedures.
Ability to read and understand electrical and pneumatic schematics.
Background in PLC, HMI, and motion-control programming.
Ability to use personal experience to understand and plan work toward goals.
Strong interpersonal skills, a proactive work ethic, and excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to present information effectively to leadership, in writing or otherwise.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to multitask and manage multiple large and small projects in a cross-functional environment.
Ability to set specific, actionable expectations for staff and provide feedback and advice that support continuous improvement and individual development.
Must be a U.S. citizen for consideration if the position requires a government security clearance.

Responsibilities

Attend Project Manager kickoff meetings and ensure statements of work are provided to shop planning and controls manufacturing, identifying integration pre-commissioning content and execution needs.
Review Project Manager timelines and provide shop feedback on capability, internal capacity, schedules, and milestone deadlines.
Review controls integration statements of work to determine what will be turnkey-built, manufactured internally, or locally outsourced, and provide scheduling information to BPM processing release and final assembly teams.
Monitor controls purchased-part ordering and deliveries using 2-, 4-, and 6-week look-aheads; identify timing misalignments and prepare shortage lists for Project Managers.
Communicate consistently with electricians and assist with scheduling in-house or contingent resources for project integration and pre-commissioning.
Ensure adherence to customer specifications and established supporting procedures.
Attend Manufacturing Kickoff and weekly Build Status meetings and gather information relevant to integration planning and pre-commissioning.
Monitor and provide job-status updates and manpower requirements to managers, and ensure the integration team is staffed for immediate and future demands.
Conduct shop-floor integration status meetings to clarify and track assignments and communicate and document commissioning status.
Identify internal and external changes, communicate change requests and NCRs to managers, relay engineering issues and lessons learned, and implement corrective actions as necessary.
Assist in maintaining departmental standards, forms, work instructions, continuous-improvement practices, and procedures.
Recommend investigation and implementation of new technologies and innovative applications.
Assist Software Engineers during startup and prepare automation projects for final acceptance testing before shipment.